How Rude!

By Melissa August, Harriet Barovick, Victoria Rainert, Heather Won Tesoriero, Rebecca Winters

Eight out of 10 Americans say a LACK OF COURTESY is a serious problem for society, according to a study by Public Agenda. Nearly half of all 2,013 surveyed say they have walked out of a store in the past year because of BAD SERVICE; 66% say they are bothered "a lot" by reckless drivers; and 56% are annoyed by people who use VULGAR LANGUAGE in public. The respondents weren't just pointing fingers at others: 41% said they themselves have behaved disrespectfully. Americans may be making some strides in civility, however; most surveyed said Americans are MORE POLITE to minorities and people with disabilities than they used to be.